JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Even in the era of digital technology, a number of hospitals still rely on paper-based forms for data entry for patient admission, triage, drug prescriptions, and procedures. Paper-based forms can be efficient to complete but often at the expense of data quality, completeness, sustainability, and automated data analytics to name but a few limitations. As an additional benefit, digital forms could also assist with decision making when deciding on the appropriate response to certain data inputs (e.g. when classifying symptoms, etc.).

Objective:

Objective:

Nevertheless, there is a lack of empirical best practices and guidelines for the interaction design of digital health forms. In this study, we assess the usability of three different interactive forms, namely 1) a single page digital form (where all data input is required on one web page), 2) a multi-page digital form and 3) a conversational digital form (a chatbot).

Methods:

Methods:

These three digital forms were developed as candidates to replace a current paper-based form that is used to record patient referrals to an interventional cardiology department (Cath-Lab) at Altnagelvin Hospital. We recorded three different usability metrics from data collected in a counterbalanced usability test (60 usability tests: 20 subjects x 3 form usability tests).

Results:

Results:

The usability metrics includes the SUS questionnaire, UEQ, and a final customised questionnaire. We found that the single-page form outperformed the other two digital form techniques in almost all of the metrics. The mean SUS score for the single page form was 76±15.8 (p<0.05) and achieved the least task completion time compared to the other two digital form styles.

Conclusions:

Conclusion: In conclusion, the digital single page form outperformed the other two forms in almost all the usability metrics. The mean SUS score for the single page was 76±15 with the least task completion time compared to other two digital forms. Moreover, upon answering the open-ended question, the single-page form was the preferred choice. However, this preference might change over time as multi-page and conversational forms become more common.